• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3595-3600
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• 2016

Background: To investigate the association between preoperative pathological Ki-67 labeling index and serum tumor marker cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) with clinic-pathological parameters and treatment outcomes in early breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study at 4 cancer centers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt was performed. Data were collected for female patients diagnosed with unilateral early breast cancer between March 2010 and October 2013. Cases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by surgery and radiotherapy were included. NACT included 6-8 cycles of anthracycline and taxane based regimens. Trastuzumab and hormonal treatments were added according to HER2 and hormone receptor status. Baseline serum CA15.3 and pathological Ki67 levels were evaluated and correlated with disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 280 pts was included. The median age was 49 years (38-66 y) and median overall survival was 35 (20-38) months (mo). Estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and HER 2 receptors were positive in 233 (83.2%), 198 (70%) and 65 cases (23.2%), respectively. High preoperative Ki67 and CA15.3 were noted in 177 (63.2%) and 131 (46.8%). A total of 45 (16%) patients had distal or local recurrence and 24 (8.6%) died of their disease. Most of the relapsed cases had high preoperative Ki-67 (n=41, 91%) and CA15.3 (n=28, 62%) values. All of the patients who died had a high Ki-67 but CA15.3 was high in 9 (37%) only. Mean DFS/OS in patients with high preoperative Ki-67 was 32 months /32 months as compared to 37 months/35 months in those with normal Ki-67 (p<0.001). Correlation of preoperative CA15.3 and survival was statistically not significant. Conclusions:Preoperative Ki-67 can be a predictive and prognostic marker. Higher levels are associated with poor DFS and OS in patients with early BC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10723-10728
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• 2015

Background: To determine the level of knowledge on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination, and the attitude towards HPV vaccination in pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists (OBG). Materials and Methods: Participants were administered a 40-question survey, investigating the demographic properties, the knowledge on the HPV infection-vaccination and attitudes towards vaccination. Results: The study enrolled a total of 228 participants (131 pediatricians and 97 OBGs). At a rate of 99.6%, the participants agreed with the fact that the HPV infection was the most common sexually transmitted disease and 33.8% of the participants had the opinion that the HPV vaccination should be administered only in women. The lowest level of HPV vaccine recommendation was among the pediatrics specialists (59.4%, p=0.012). When asked whether they would have their daughters receive HPV vaccination, 79.5% of the participants answered favorably; this rate was 36.7% for the sons. At a rate of 59.5% of the participants thought that the HPV vaccine needed to be included in the national vaccine schedule. Most of the participants (91.6%) had the idea that reduction of the vaccine costs would increase the vaccination frequency. Conclusions: We observed that the consideration of the costs and the prejudices relating to the inefficacy of vaccination as well as the inadequate level of knowledge were involved in the physicians' resistance to HPV vaccination. We believe that the healthcare professionals should be informed adequately to overcome false beliefs, thereby ensuring success of the HPV vaccine upon inclusion in the national vaccine schedule in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10659-10663
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• 2015

Background: Rapamycin is an effective anti-angiogenic drug. However, the mode of its action remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the antitumor mechanism of rapamycin, hypothetically via apoptotic promotion, using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: MCF-7 cells were plated at a density of $1{\times}10^5$ cells/well in 6-well plates. After 24h, cells were treated with a series of concentrations of rapamycin while only adding DMEM medium with PEG for the control regiment and grown at $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ and 95% air for 72h. Trypan blue was used to determine the cell viability and proliferation. Untreated and rapamycin-treated MCF-7 cells were also examined for morphological changes with an inverted-phase contrast microscope. Alteration in cell morphology was ascertained, along with a stage in the cell cycle and proliferation. In addition, cytotoxicity testing was performed using normal mouse breast mammary pads. Results: Our results clearly showed that rapamycin exhibited inhibitory activity on MCF-7 cell lines. The $IC_{50}$ value of rapamycin on the MCF-7 cells was determined as $0.4{\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.05). Direct observation by inverted microscopy demonstrated that the MCF-7 cells treated with rapamycin showed characteristic features of apoptosis including cell shrinkage, vascularization and autophagy. Cells underwent early apoptosis up to 24% after 72h. Analysis of the cell cycle showed an increase in the G0G1 phase cell population and a corresponding decrease in the S and G2M phase populations, from 81.5% to 91.3% and 17.3% to 7.9%, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that rapamycin may potentially act as an anti-cancer agent via the inhibition of growth with some morphological changes of the MCF-7 cancer cells, arrest cell cycle progression at G0/G1 phase and induction of apoptosis in late stage of apoptosis. Further studies are needed to further characterize the mode of action of rapamycin as an anti-cancer agent.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1103-1107
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• 2001

Objective : Atypical and malignant meningiomas(AM, MM) are known to be rare and show aggressive behavior. Limited data are available concerning the clinical features, effectiveness of surgical removal and role of radiation therapy with AM, MM. The authors report our experience of AM, MM, with respect to clinical features. Methods : Twenty-four cases of AM and 28 cases of MM, who were operated between 1988 and 1999 were retro-spectively studied review of medical records and radiological findings. These were compared with control group of 24 cases of menigiomas manifestating usual clinical course, which are selected arbitrarily among operative cases between Apr. 1999 and Dec. 1999. Mean follow-up periods were 26(1-91) months for AM and 23(1-62) for MM. Authors analyzed the prognostic factors for survival, and statistical analysis were accomplished by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results : Differences of clinical features between control groups and these atypical and malignant meningioma group were not significant. However, the location of MM was frequent in non-basal area(p<0.01). In AM, there were 4 patients of recurrence, and 3 patients of mortality. Among mortality cases, only one patient died of tumor progression, the other patients died of other causes. The survival at 2 year and 5 year in this group were 88% and 74% respectively, and in MM, 11 patients died due to tumor progression and 2 had spinal metastasis. The survival at 2 year and 5 year were 72% and 20%, respectively. For extent of resection, total removal(Simpson grade 1 or 2) was less often achieved in MM compared with AM(50% vs. 83%). Extent of resection of tumor and postoperative radiation therapy did not affect survival in both AM, MM. Conclusions : Clinical behavior of AM showed more benign than that of MM. Prognostic factor for survival is not related extent of resection of tumor and postoperative radiation therapy. However, further investigation with long-term follow-up and additional cases is mandatory.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.466-473
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• 2012

The change in people's dietary life has led to an increase in an intake of processed foods and food chemicals, raising awareness about taste education for preschoolers whose dietary habits start to grow. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of parents and childcare personnel after developing a taste education program and demonstrating it in class. A part of the curriculum developed by Piusais and Pierre was referred for the program. After educating 524 preschoolers in child care facilities in Seoul, a satisfaction survey was conducted on the program. The data in this study were analyzed using SPSS 14.0. Statistical analysis was conducted based on the frequency after collecting the data. Mean ${\pm}$ SD used to determine satisfaction with taste education, with preferences marked on a five-point scale and the alpha was set at 0.05. The program includes five teachers' guides with subjects of sweetness, saltiness, sourness, bitterness and harmony of flavor, and ten kinds of teaching tools. For the change in parents' recognition of the need for taste education based on five-point scale, the average of $4.06{\pm}0.62$ before the program has significantly increased to $4.32{\pm}0.52$ (P < 0.01). Regarding the change in the preferences for sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness, the average has increased to $3.83{\pm}0.61$, $3.62{\pm}0.66$, $3.64{\pm}0.66$, and $3.56{\pm}0.75$ respectively. In an evaluation of instructors in child care facilities, the average scores for education method, education effect, education contents and nutritionists, and teaching tools were at $4.15{\pm}0.63$, $3.91{\pm}0.50$, $4.18{\pm}0.50$, and $3.80{\pm}0.56$ respectively. In addition, the need for a continuous taste education scored $4.42{\pm}0.67$. This program has created a positive change in preschoolers' dietary life, therefore the continuation and propagation of the taste education program should be considered.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.69-91
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• 1993

A total of 76 surface sediment samples, collected from the Korean west coast and the eastern Yellow Sea areas, were analyzed for their elemental composition in order to understand the geochemical characteristics of these deposits. The analyzed elements included 9 major elements (Al, Fe, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ti, P, Mn), 8 minor elements (Sr, Ba, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), organic carbon and calcium carbonate. Contents of most analyzed elements, excluding K and Ba, were generally low compared to those of average crust. Contents of most elements, except K and Ca, also correlated with sediment grain size, though the degree of relationship varied widely from one element to another. For fine-grained sediments, a distinction could be made between those in the central Yellow Sea and those in the Keum Estuary based on their characteristic elemental composition: the former were rich in Fe, Na, K, Mg, Ca and V, and the latter in Mn, Co and Ni. The element/aluminium ratios, on the other hand, showed that the central Yellow Sea muds were enriched in Fe, Mg, V, Ni, Cu and Zn and depleted in K, Mn, Ba and Sr relative to the mud located near the Korean Peninsula. Based on the analysis of these results, as well as of the influences of particular mineral phases or pollution effects, we could suggest geochemical criteria which can be used in distinguishing muds from the two different sources, the Keum River and the Yellow River: the former by the higher Mn content and the latter by the higher Mg and V contents, relative to each other.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.664-670
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• 2004

Statement of problem. One of the common problems of dental implant prosthesis is the loosening of the screw that connects each component, and this problem is more common in single implant-supported prostheses with external connection. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes of detorque values of abutment screws with external connection in different abutment heights. Materials and methods. After cyclic loading on three different abutment heights, detorque values were measured. Abutments were retained with titanium abutment screws tightened to 30 Ncm (30.5 kgmm) with digital torque gauge as recommended by the manufacturer. Replacing abutments, implants and titanium abutment screws with new ones at every measurement, initial detorque values were measured six times. In measuring de torque values after cyclic loading, Avana Cemented Abutments of 4.0 mm collar, 7.0 mm height (Osstem Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) were used with three different lengths of 5.0, 8.0, 11.0 mm. Shorter abutments were made by milling of 11.0 mm abutment to have the same force-exercised area of 4.5 mm diameter. Sine curve force (20N-320N, 14Hz) was applied, and detorque values were measured after cyclic loading of 2 million times by loading machine. Detorque values of initial and after-loading were measured by digital torque gauge. One-way ANOVA was employed to see if there was any influence from different abutment heights. Results. The results were as follows: 1. The initial detorque value was 27.8$\pm$0.93 kgmm, and the ratio of the initial detorque value to the tightening torque was 0.91(27.8/30.5). 2. Measured detorque values after cyclic loading were declined as the height of the abutment increased, that was, 5.0 mm; 22.3$\pm$0.82 kgmm, 8.0 mm; 21.8$\pm$0.93 kgmm, and 11.0 mm; 21.3$\pm$0.94 kgmm. 3. One-way ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences among these (p>0.05). 4. Noticeable mobility at the implant-abutment interface was not observed in any case after cyclic loading at all.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1790-1798
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• 2006

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of feeding cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) high black rice bran on nutrient digestibility, blood measurements, growth performance and pork quality of pigs. In Exp. I, a total of fifteen pigs (19.91${\pm}$1.80 kg, average initial body weight) were used in assay of nutrient digestibility and blood measurements. All pigs were allotted to 5 treatments with 3 replicates according to a completely randomized design (CRD) in an individual metabolic crate. Treatments included 1) CON: basal diet, 2) BRB-2: basal+brown rice bran 2%, 3) BRB-4: basal+brown rice bran 4%, 4) CRB-2: basal+C3G high black rice bran 2% and 5) CRB-4: basal+C3G high black rice bran 4%. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), crude ash (CA) and crude fiber (CF) was not affected by dietary treatments. Serum triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were not affected by addition of C3G high black rice bran. However, at the end of experiment, pigs fed rice bran showed decreased tendency in total cholesterol concentration. Especially pigs fed C3G high black rice bran showed significantly lower total cholesterol concentration compared to pigs fed brown rice bran (p<0.03). There was numerically lower total cholesterol concentration with increasing levels of black rice bran in the diet. In terms of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), there were no significant differences among treatments, even though pigs fed CRB-4 showed the lowest GOT concentration compared to other pigs. In Exp. II, sixteen finishing pigs (average initial body weight 89.96${\pm}$0.35 kg) were divided into 4 treatments to investigate the effect of feeding C3G high black rice bran on growth performance and pork quality. There were no significant differences in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the treatments. Pigs fed C3G high black rice bran showed numerical decrease in ADG and increase in FCR while not effecting feed intake. There was no significant difference in live weight, carcass weight, carcass rate, backfat thickness and carcass grade. However, pigs fed C3G high black rice bran tended to show lower backfat thickness than pigs fed basal diet. Pigs fed C3G high black rice bran showed a tendency of decreased TBA value than pigs fed basal diet, although there was no overall significant difference among treatments. In conclusion, nutrient digestibility, blood measurements, growth performance and pork quality were not significantly affected by feeding C3G high black rice bran to pigs. However, C3G high black rice bran might have an effect on lowering serum total cholesterol and decrease the TBA value in pork compared to control group and these effects might be due to high concentration of antioxidative compounds in C3G high black rice bran.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 2005

Xenotransplantation may help to overcome the critical shortage of human tissues and organs for human transplantation, Swine represents an ideal source of such organs owing to their anatomical and physiological similarities to human besides their plentiful supply, However, the use of organs across the species barrier may be associated with the risk of transmission of pathogens, specially porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs).• Although most of these potential pathogens could be eliminated by pathogen-free breeding, PERVs are not eliminated by this treatment. PERVs are integrated into the genome of all pigs and produced by normal pig cells and infect human cells. They belong to gamma retroviruses and are of three classes viruses: A, B and C. In the present study, PCR based cloning was performed with chromosomal DNA extracted from pigs from domestic pigs in Korea. Amplified PCR fragments of about 1.5 Kb, covering the partial env gene, were cloned into pCR2.l-TOPO vectors and sequenced. A total of 91 env clones were obtained from domestic pigs, Berkshire, Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire in Korea. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes revealed the presence of only PERV class A and B in the proportion of 58 % and 42 %, respectively. Among these, 28 clones had the correct open reading frame: 18 clones in class A and 10 clones in class B. Since both these PERV classes are polytropic and have the capacity to infect human cells, our data suggest that proviral PERVs have the potential to generate infectious viruses during or after xenotransplantation in human.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.435-443
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• 1997

We employed the whole-cell patch clamp technique to investigate the effects of arachidonic acid (AA) on barium inward current through the L-type calcium channels ($I_{Ba}$) and on osmotic stretch-induced increase of $I_{Ba}$ in guinea-pig antral gastric myocytes. Under isosmotic condition, AA inhibited $I_{Ba}$ in a dose-dependent manner to $91.1{\pm}1.4,\;72.0{\pm}3.2,\;46.0{\pm}1.8,\;and\;20.3{\pm}2.3%$ at 1, 5, 10, 30 mM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of AA was not affected by 10 ${\mu}M$ indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Other unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (LA) and oleic acid (OA) were also found to suppress $I_{Ba}$ but stearic acid (SA), a saturated fatty acid, had no inhibitory effect on $I_{Ba}$. The potency sequence of these inhibitory effects was AA ($79.7{\pm}2.3%$) ＞ LA ($43.1{\pm}2.7%$) ＞ OA ($14.2{\pm}1.1%$) at 30 ${\mu}M$. On superfusing the myocyte with hyposmotic solution (214 mOsm) the amplitude of $I_{Ba}$ at 0 mV increased ($38.0{\pm}5.5%$); this increase was completely blocked by pretreatment with 30 mM AA, but not significantly inhibited by lower concentrations of AA (1, 5 and 10 ${\mu}M$) (P＞0.05). Unsaturated fatty acids shifted the steady-state inactivation curves of $I_{Ba}$ to the left; the extent of shift caused by AA was greater than that caused by LA. The activation curve was not affected by AA or LA. The results suggest that AA and other unsaturated fatty acids directly modulate L-type calcium channels and AA might modulate the hyposmotic stretch- induced increase of L-type calcium channel current in guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle.